By Steve K. In Alcoholics Anonymous, fear is treated not as a mere emotion but as a spiritual condition— “an evil and corroding thread,” woven through the lives of those who suffer from addiction. This language seems to paint fear as a moral defect, as though it were inherently wrong or incompatible with spiritual life. […]
By William L White In his classic work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell described a dominant myth pervading the world’s cultures. Campbell noted that, in spite of their myriad variations, mythic stories of the heroic adventure shared a common structure: the hero’s departure, the hero’s transformation by great trials, and the hero’s return. […]
By Steve K In relation to recovery from addiction, letting go of resentments, including feelings of hurt, anger, bitterness, and blame, is especially important, as they can often lead to a return to drinking, using, and other forms of destructive or addictive behaviour. Resentments isolate us from others through self-absorbed bitterness and a closed heart. […]
By Jay Stinnett 27 July 2008, marked the 100th anniversary of Frank Buchman’s Spiritual Awakening – one that directly linked him to the co-founders of AA. As a young man, Buchman gave everything he had to establish a shelter for homeless boys in the slums of Philadelphia. The shelter’s success surpassed his budget and the six-member […]
By Steve K. For thousands of years, humans have sought altered states of consciousness as a pathway to healing, meaning, and connection with the sacred. In traditional societies, plant medicines that induce hallucinations were not dismissed as illusions but embraced as tools to access the divine or to repair broken relationships between body, spirit, and […]
By Steve K. The ‘Doctor’s Opinion’ is the opening chapter of the book ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ (4th ed, pp xxv – xxxii). The main part of the chapter is written by Dr William D. Silkworth, M.D. Silkworth was considered an expert in the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction during the 1930’s and worked as the […]
Introduction By Steve K The following personal account is an excerpt from Darren McGarvey’s 2022 Reith Lecture Freedom from Want.In it, McGarvey recalls his early sobriety in “the rooms” of mutual-aid recovery meetings, describing the community, accountability, and principles that helped him get well. Although he doesn’t specify the name of any particular fellowship, his […]
By Steve K. It’s often said in meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that “you are not judged in the rooms of AA.” This statement is generally offered as a reassurance – to newcomers in particular — as an invitation to be honest, open, and vulnerable without fear of condemnation. However, at a recent meeting I […]
By Steve K. More than a biography, this film is a spiritual excavation. The film ‘Conscious Contact’ follows the ever-evolving inner life of Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, as he deepens his search for conscious contact with a higher power. Through never-before-seen recordings, personal letters, rare photographs, and a revelatory interview with the man […]
By Steve K. The ‘program’ of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is often described as ‘spiritual, not religious’ in nature. For many, this is true, as AA’s liberal approach to faith allows its members to relate to the 12 Steps in a way that is meaningful and helpful to the individual. AA philosophy draws from the pragmatism […]
By Professor David Best Substance addiction is a hugely damaging experience for individuals, families and communities, whether it is caused by alcohol, heroin, cocaine or any range of other substances. On average, the duration of an addiction ‘career’, as it is known, is estimated at 28 years, typically with an onset age of around 11 […]
By Steve K. “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.” The 12 Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous serve as guiding principles to ensure the unity, stability, and effectiveness of the AA Fellowship. While the 12 Steps focus on individual recovery, the Traditions focus on the collective health and well-being of the […]
By Steve K. The AA phrase the ‘Language of the Heart’ is the title of the 1988 book which published Bill Wilson’s (co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous) Grapevine writings from the mid 1940’s –1970. The phrase was originally used by Wilson for the title of his 1960 (July) Grapevine article which conveys the special type of […]
By Steve K. As a long-term member of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and the current secretary of a local group, I’m ever mindful of the 12 Traditions and the principles they contain which help to guide each AA group and the Fellowship, as a whole. When new members enter the Fellowship of AA […]
By Open Culture There may be as many doors into Alcoholics Anonymous in the 21st century as there are people who walk through them—from every world religion to no religion. The “international mutual-aid fellowship” has had “a significant and long-term effect on the culture of the United States”. Indeed, its influence is global. From its inception in 1935, […]
By Steve K. To live a spiritual life requires honesty, an open-mind, and a willingness to be humble. This is true in my experience, but I would also suggest that these three qualities of character are deeply interrelated with three other fundamental virtues of living a spiritual life. These are love (heart), courage, and faith […]
By Steve K. People often say ‘everything happens for a reason’ in response to difficult or seemingly random life events. I’ve always had mixed feelings in relation to this statement, particularly when it’s meant to suggest that some higher power or intelligence is guiding or directing events that happen in life. I think that there […]
12-STEP PHILOSOPHY 